Abdominal supporting belt



Jan. I), 1933. 1. M PEASE ABDOMINAL SUPPORTING BELT Filed Dec. 5, 1931 Mw w f L m 8 6 8 A Patented Jan. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES ISAAC M. PEASE, F CINCINNATI, OHIO ABDOMINAL SUPPORTING BELT Application filed December 5, 1931.

My invention relates to abdominal supporting belts of the type useful in cases of obesity and other conditions whereit is necessary or desirable ,to provide external support for the lower abdominal walls.

The principal object of my invention is t provide an adjustable reenforcement for a belt of the type mentioned, which reenforcement may, moreover, should conditions so improve as no longer to require the same, be removed or replaced by other more suitable reenforcement without interfering with the utility and effectiveness of the belt structure itself.

Further objects of my invention will appear from the following detailed description thereof. 7

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a view of a belt provided with reen orcement in accordance with this invention. Figure 2 is an elevation of the reenforcing element together with a portion of the belt structure. Figure 3 is an edge view of the reenforcement.

The numeral 1 indicates an abdominal belt constructed of'any suitable material either elastic or otherwise in accordance with the practice now in general use. The front section 20f the belt is however, preferably made of a suitable elastlc material, but this is not i a necessary or essential part of the present invention though it does coo crate in achieving the full merit and bene ts. to be derived therefrom. Secured to the front portion of the elastic section 2 of the belt by means of stitching or otherwise is a short band 3 having extensions 4, which extensions are also secured upwardly to the belt by stitching so as to form pockets. The lower section of the band is provided with a slide fastener 5 which, when open gives access to the pockets between the belt fabric and'the band 3 and its extensions 4. As will be noted from Figure l, the upward extensions 4 which may be in any suitable number, diverge fanlike upwardly.

Adapted to fit in the pockets formed be tween the belt fabric and band with its extensions, is a reenforcing member illustrated Serial No. 579,188.

in Figures 2 and 3. Said reenforcing member consists of an arcuate metal plate 6 to which fingers 7 are pivotally secured at 8; said fingers 7 are also of metal construction and for the best results it is contemplated to use a light spring steel. The fingers 7 are bent into the form clearly shown in Figure 3 so that they form inward sections 9 adapted I to fit well under the abdominal curvature so that the upper portions 10 of the fingers, to- 59 gether with the belt fabric form a more or less yielding support for the abdominal Walls.

The nature and use of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the same appertains.

A belt fitted with reenforcing of the type described is adapted to provide a comfortable and eflicient support for the abdominal walls which support is at all times yielding and adjustable so that it adapts itself automatically to the varying conditions of use. By reason of the fact that the fingers 7 are secured to a base plate 6 they are held at their bases suitably spaced from each other, and cannot, therefore, become displaced so as to cause discomforting friction and inching, as is the case where independent gers of the same general type are secured in independent pockets in the belt fabric. Furthermore, by reason of the pivotal mounting so on the plate 6 the fingers may extend fanlike so as to adapt themselves within the limits of the elasticity of the belt fabric itself, and the recnforcemcnt itself thus becomes equally as adjustable with the belt fabric itself, substantially the same as if it were the integral partof an elastic fabric, so as to meet the demands of comfort and service.

As will be noted also the entire reenforcing member consisting of the plate 6 and fingers 7 may be inserted or removed as a unit through the slide fastener closed opening, and it .thus becomes possible to meet the varying requirements of altering or changing conditions. For instance where a condition of obesity becomes ameliorated it may become possible to dispense entirely with the reenforcing while still using the belt which is under the new conditions adequate for the purpose. Under such circumstances the slide fastener is opened and the reenforcing member is merely removed through the opening. Furthermore, it is within the con- 5 templation of this invention to provide reenforcing members of various degrees of rigidity and elasticity, and by reason of the ready removal and replacement of the-reenforcing member it will be seen that airiinore suitable member may be substituted at any time for one whose use is no longer required.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a belt of the type specified, having a front section constructed of elastic webbing, a reenforcing member for said front section, said member comprising a plate and a lurality of fingers pivotally secured to said plate, and a pocket on said front section to receive said plate and fingers, said pocket having individual extensions for the fingers and being provided with a closure whereby said reenforcing member may be 2 readily inserted or removed.

2. In combination with a belt of the type specified, having a front section constructed of elastic webbing, a reenforcing member for said front section, said member comprising a plate and a lurality of fingers pivotally secured to said plate, said member and fingers being of resilient construction, and a. pocket on said front section to receive said plate and fingers said pocket havin individual extensions for the fingers an being rovided with a closure whereby said reenorcing member may be readily inserted or removed. 0 ISAAC M. PEASE, 

